Slippy McGee, Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man

"Slippy McGee, Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man" by Marie Conway Oemler is a tale set in the early 1900s, focusing on Father Armand De Rancé in the lively town of Appleboro, South Carolina, as he lives out his purpose amid a close-knit community. The book centers on John Flint, famously known as Slippy McGee, a burglar whose life dramatically changes after a terrible accident. The story starts by showing the reader Appleboro and its people through Father De Rancé's eyes, with his thoughts about the town's customs and his role adding to the setting. Then, John Flint appears, badly hurt by the train tracks, launching the plot. Inside the Parish House, Father De Rancé and Dr. Westmoreland try to save Flint, resulting in the loss of his leg. As Flint gets better, readers get hints of his past, highlighting the conflict between his former criminal life and the caring people now around him, preparing him for an emotional trip through hardship, change, and figuring out who he really is.